"Caitlin Clark coach killer": Fans erupt after Indiana Fever part ways with coach Christie Sides

Basketball fans reacted strongly after the Indiana Fever announced their decision to part ways with head coach Christie Sides on Sunday. The news came just weeks after Sides led the Caitlin Clark-led Fever to the WNBA playoffs, ending the franchise’s eight-year postseason drought.

Fans shared a range of candid responses to the decision, with some blaming Caitlin Clark for Sides' dismissal, while others agreed it was time for a new coach to lead the team.

"Caitlin Clark coach killer, hate to see it," a fan wrote.

"Damn. I’m partly surprised. I know a lot of ppl wanted this early in the szn when the team was losing but with the late turnaround I thought they might’ve retained her to try and build off that momentum. Guess not. Wonder if they’ll go for Iowas old wbb coach?" said another.

"She had her shot but just couldn't get her players to play defense, especially against pick and rolls," commented another.

"This is tough but the Fever have another level they can unlock with a serious coach," a fan wrote.

"She's a nice lady but too green for the likes of CC and greatness," said another user.

"Damn, that’s kinda wild. The first half was slow because her players had to adjust to Caitlin’s game. Once Cait got it going, the team really began to mesh, and they made the playoffs," another fan wrote.

Fever President on parting ways with Christie Sides

Christie Sides’ tenure as head coach of the Indiana Fever spanned two seasons, during which she led the team to a 33-47 record over 80 regular season games. Notably, Sides became the first coach in franchise history to be named WNBA Coach of the Month, earning the honor in August 2024.

In an official statement, the Fever's front office commended Sides for her contributions in helping the team grow and provided insight into their decision to part ways with her.

"We are incredibly thankful to Coach Sides for embracing the challenge of leading us through an integral transition period over the last two seasons, while also positioning us well for future growth," Fever President of Basketball Operations Kelly Krauskopf was quoted as saying in the official release.

"While decisions like these are never easy, it is also imperative that we remain bold and assertive in the pursuit of our goals, which includes maximizing our talent and bringing another WNBA championship back to Indiana. Coach Sides was an incredible representative of the Fever and our community, and we wish her nothing but success in the future,"

In the 2024 WNBA season, Indiana achieved a 20-20 record under Sides' leadership and qualified for the playoffs. However, Caitlin Clark and Co. were eliminated in the first round after a 2-0 sweep by the Connecticut Sun.